Ghazala Sharieff, MD, MBA, corporate executive, senior vice president and chief medical and operations officer of acute care at Scripps Health, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 list of Patient Safety Experts to Know.

The national recognition highlights Dr. Sharieff’s leadership in advancing patient safety and care quality across Scripps’ hospital system. Among her signature initiatives are the creation of “Sprint Teams,” collaborative problem-solving groups that target specific safety challenges. Since their introduction, Sprint Teams have helped significantly reduce patient infections and falls between 2022 and 2024.

In her role overseeing acute care operations at Scripps, Dr. Sharieff leads systemwide efforts in patient safety, supply chain I, and emergency management. She has also directed the development of Scripps’ opioid stewardship program, which has become a statewide model for reducing high-dose opioid prescriptions while expanding addiction treatment resources.

Her “6 Rs” strategic initiative further advanced care efficiency, reducing patient length of stay by 3.2% while maintaining high standards of clinical outcomes.

“Dr. Sharieff’s innovative approach to patient safety exemplifies the mission of Scripps Health to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care,” the organization said in a statement.

This national honor adds to Scripps Health’s ongoing reputation as a leader in quality and safety, underscoring the impact of Dr. Sharieff’s vision and leadership on patients and the broader healthcare community.